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2011 Lexus LFA


Japanese luxury and now supercar marque, Lexus, has confirmed that Australia has been allocated five LFA supercars - out of 500 units worldwide - the brand’s newest F vehicle.

Unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show back in October, the LFA is Lexus' first ever supercar developing around 412 kW at a stratospheric 9,000 rpm and 480 Nm of torque from its F1-inspired 4.8-litre V10 engine.


“The fact that Australia has been allocated any LFA vehicles is testament to the importance of the Australian arm of the global Lexus brand.

“LFA is as much an engineering exercise as it is a clear demonstration of the passion that lies within Lexus. It will become the template from which future Lexus vehicles will be developed and measured.

“Our next challenge is managing the allocation process – we are already certain that we will not have enough LFAs to fulfil demand,”
said Lexus Chief Executive John Roca.



LFA Chief Engineer, Haruhiko Tanahashi, said that LFA pushed every conceivable boundary during its development.

“LFA development was unlike any Lexus before it, we tested it in the harshest driving environments – from the high-speed Nardo facility to the gruelling Nurburgring race track.

“LFA is a rolling showcase of Lexus’ advanced engineering capabilities,” said Mr Tanahasi.

“The result is a thoroughbred, a machine engineered to achieve one single goal – to deliver a supreme driving experience.”

Production of LFA will commence in December of 2010 and run for two years, with 20 hand-built vehicles delivered each month to customers globally.


LEXUS LFA SPECIFICATIONS:

Weight: 1480kg

ENGINE & DRIVELINE
Model: 1LR-GUE
Displacement: 4805 cc
Maximum Output: 412kW/8700rpm
Maximum torque: 480Nm/6800
Transmission: Six-speed ASG (Automated Sequential Gearbox)

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 325km/h
Acceleration 0-100km/h: 3.7sec


[Source: Lexus Australia]









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Lexus LFA supercar unveiled in Tokyo

October 21st 2009 18:00
2011 Lexus LFA


The long-awaited and much-hyped Lexus LFA supercar has been unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and its a cracker.

After years of speculation and countless prototypes spotted testing at the famous Nurburgring, the Lexus LFA will be heading into production at the end of 2010 and joining the Japanese car maker's line-up in 2011 as the pinnacle of the Lexus "F" range and stable-mate to the IS-F performance sedan.

2011 Lexus LFA


Providing power to the LFA is a newly developed 4.8-litre V10 that is compact in size (smaller than a V8) and made from expensive and lightweight materials such as aluminum, magnesium and titanium alloy). Power is a hefty 412 kW at a stratospheric 9,000 rpm and torque is 480 Nm with 90% of this available between 3,700 and 9,000 rpm.

Factoring in things such as a lightweight carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) cabin - 100kg lighter than a comparable aluminum cabin - unique CFRP-to-metal joining and front-to-rear weight distribution of 48:52, the LFA is a true supercar.

2011 Lexus LFA interior


As a result, the LFA storms from rest to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and onto a top speed of 325 km/h.

Only 500 units - at US$375,000 a pop - are to be produced and sold worldwide. In spite of its hefty price-tag, the LFA should have no problems becoming a collector's item as the world economy continues to improve.

Learn more about the Lexus LFA below.

2011 Lexus LFA interior


The Official Lexus Press Release:

Tokyo, October 21, 2009 - Lexus announces today the official launch of the LFA, a two-seat supercar scheduled to go into production at the end of 2010 as the pinnacle of the Lexus "F" premium sports car series. Pre-sales start today.

Ultra-responsive and extremely stable even when taken to the edge, the LFA creates a sense of reassurance that opens up a new world of driving emotion, exhilarating the senses to move the driver in more ways than one.

The LFA combines high output, superb chassis design and meticulous aerodynamics to achieve instantaneous total-vehicle response characterized by high-rev, seamless acceleration echoed by a self-defining resonance from its 4.8-liter V10.

Only 500 units of the LFA are to be produced and sold worldwide.

A prototype of the LFA is now on display at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, which is open to the general public from October 24 to November 4 at Makuhari Messe in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture.

1. Packaging brings out the most in fundamental performance

Strong and light

The newly developed 4.8-liter V10 engine boasts exceptional power, while lightweight materials (aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy and titanium alloy) and a very compact size (smaller than a conventional V8) allows for optimal weight distribution and an exceptional power-to-weight ratio.

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) cabin enhances high body-rigidity and reduces weight. This unique cabin is 100kg lighter than a comparable aluminum cabin. Detailed analysis and precise matching of CFRP materials allows for high rigidity and low weight. LFA CFRP production technology, including unique CFRP-to-metal joining, was completely developed by Lexus.

Balanced
Relatively higher weight components such as the engine and transmission are placed within the wheelbase. A low center of gravity is made possible by the use of dry sump lubrication1, along with placing peripheral components (oil pump, water pump) behind the engine. Furthermore, optimal placement of the transmission and the fuel tank in front of the rear axle adds to this application of centralized mass. This minimizes weight shift during cornering and contributes to outstanding performance and stability. Lighter weight components, like the radiator and electric fans, are placed behind the rear axle.

Combined with a front-engine and rear-wheel-drive configuration, the short, wide and low body allows the LFA to achieve its target front-to-rear weight distribution of 48:52.

Driver-centered
The driver's seat is positioned near the LFA's center of gravity. The centralized seating concept (with the seat between the front and rear axles and closer to the left–right center) is made possible by the use of a rear transaxle and vertically stacked torque tube and exhaust pipes reducing the width of the center tunnel. The driver placement is aimed to provide maximum car-to-driver feedback, especially under sport or high G-force driving conditions.


2. Emotive performance embodies an extraordinary driving experience

High–rev engine

Titanium valves, ultra–light weight rocker arms with a diamond–like coating and a fully integrated lower crankcase that reduces pumping losses at high RPMs combine to provide the driver with overwhelming acceleration right up to the 9,000rpm redline. The LFA's purpose-built V10 delivers 90% of its peak torque between 3,700rpm and 9,000rpm.

Precise Response

Independent, electronically controlled throttle bodies ensure precise air-feed to each of the 10 cylinders, enabling immediate engine response from the accelerator pedal. The engine response time is approximately half the normal response time of a single-throttle valve.

The six-speed ASG transmission features heavy-duty synchronizer rings and a newly developed gearshift actuator, providing the driver with a very direct shift feel. Four selectable driving modes and a seven-stage shift-speed selector that results in upshift speeds down to 0.2 seconds provide a higher level of driver control.

Track-sized high-performance (Carbon Ceramic) CCM brake discs and Electronically Controlled Braking system generate ultra-powerful yet stable braking.

Responsive handling and engaging dynamics

The very light and rigid CFRP cabin, combined with a front double-wishbone suspension and a rear multilink suspension, result in a very stable, controlled ride. Detailed aerodynamic engineering results in elements such as a flat underbody, a diffuser and a speed-controlled rear wing, which allows precise vehicle response at all vehicle speeds, thus creating unity between driver and machine.

Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management integrates numerous vehicle dynamic functions that provide a high level of vehicle stability and preventative safety without interfering with the driver's intentions, especially when sport driving.

Exciting engine sound and L-finesse2 design
Equal-length exhaust manifolds combined with an equal-length dual exhaust system routed through a multistage titanium main muffler fine tunes the exhaust note.

An acoustically tuned surge tank linked to 10 individual throttle bodies creates a powerful induction sound. The coordination of intake and exhaust sounds overlap at various RPMs to create a unique, exciting and inspired soundtrack.

The exterior design includes carefully tuned aerodynamics and airflow management. The use of CFRP, in addition to strength and weight advantages, frees up the design of the exterior panels allowing a fresh supercar L-finesse design. The interior design combines state-of-the-art instrument-panel design and technology, along with a variety of custom-tailored interior trim packages to suit the most discerning driver.


[Source: Lexus]









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Nissan GT-R


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2010 Nissan GT-R V-Spec spied!

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